Generator Selection?

[grsthegreat]

for a 50 mile drive each way it does cost. a simple service call ends up being 3 hours work including travel time. problem i see is who will do a service call if anything goes wrong. i do alot of driving out here. i could care less who installed unit. i do charge more the further i have to drive, but if i can group a few calls in sdame area for a specific day i cut the charge per person. what i have found by doing this is the people contact their friends with generators and all book for the same day. easy on all of us.

 

[Popgadget]

On the subject of warranty, I think that I have asked before, but Generac keeps sending me notices trying to get me to buy an extended warranty.

My present warranty is 5 years, they are trying to sell me another 5 years for $1000.
There is no imaginable repair that I am not capable of performing, or have the tools, test instruments and facility to do including major stuff like an engine replacement or overhaul, or changing a rotor or stator.
With that in mind, is there any practical value to me in the extended warranty?

The unit is an air cooled 22kw that I installed myself and interfaced to an existing Onan OT switch. I’m thinking that a “Generac” technician wouldn’t be happy with my switch, and I wouldn’t expect them to work on it, but wonder if it would effect the warranty in their eyes. The irony is that it is much better than the Generac switch.
As long as the basic unit is as reliable as it appears to be, I don’t see much value in it for me. I do realize that I’m not the typical customer, but every time I get a new offer, I wonder about it.

 

[grsthegreat]

Once your existing warranty expires you’ll get emails offering another 5 years for $495.

personally i like the warranty. The standard 5 year only gives 2 yrs parts,labor and travel. Than 3 additional parts only. The extended warranty gives either 5,7,or 10 years parts, labor and travel.
ive had customers save bundles on repairs. I just replaced a controller for a warranty customer. Saved about $600. Was not my customer. Just a cold call to me when his 4 yr old unit stopped working.
but if you can do the work yourself, than why bother with extended warranty. GENERAC won’t let a homeowner perform warranty work anyways. It HAS to go thru a warranty dealer.


i just got an email today offering me 5 additional years on my own unit. But as a service tech my own unit does not qualify for warranty insurance. Go figure.

 

[Popgadget]

Once your existing warranty expires you’ll get emails offering another 5 years for $495.

Now that sounds like a plan. It’s half of what they are offering me now
Thanks for the info!

 

[Diggin It]

Been a LONG time since I've seen somebody try so hard NOT to take a job, but they succeeded in not getting it. Last contact was above when he said he wasn't familiar with the composite cable and that he would look it up, check the specs and call me back. His other beef was that it wasn't in conduit. It's rated for exposed runs, so there is no need for conduit. I was always taught to leave a drip loop. The run between the generator and the ATS is about 8' total with only less than three feet horizontal between the generator and the strut holding the ATS. I left a small sag in the horizontal run. He says no, no loop, has to be fully supported. For that matter, I have more strut on hand and could run that to support the cable if that was his last beef, but he hasn't bothered to get back to me.

This is a residential application, not heavy industrial. That small loop will not in any way affect the operation of the generator, nor pose any hazards.

The fact he wasn't familiar with the composite cable is one thing. The fact he hasn't followed through is another.

You may even agree with him and not want to do one like it in your area. I don't know, but I can't see that affecting the warranty in any way.

I'll call one other dealer today and see what they say, otherwise I'll be starting it myself. I'm about done trying to appease people and begging them to let me give them money.


I picked up a Group 26R battery today at RK. I have a VOM and Manometer. If you're willing and will be at TBN for a while (day and time to be determined), I'll try to have a computer out there while doing it, unless I can get the other dealer to co-operate.

 

[grsthegreat]

Well. The composite cable is approved for buried and in wall, but its not sunlight resistant as far as I can determine. I always place the exposed exterior section in 1-1/4” flexible conduit

 

[Diggin It]

I couldn't find 1-1/4 flex. Nobody would sell it in less than 100' coils that I could find. I needed about 6 feet at the most. I was able to uncoil a foot or two of 1" enough to get around the generator end to help with strain relief, but not enough to do the full length.

Also, the version of cable I bought IS rated for UV protection if you can find the post above with the link.

Type: Power Composite Installation Cable - TC-ER (Exposed Run)

600 Volts, 90°C dry, 75° wet
TFFN Conductors (PVC/Nylon)
PVC Jacket
UL Listed 1277 Type TC-ER
FT4 / IEEE 1202, Sunlight Resistant, Direct Burial
This specification covers the construction requirements of multi-conductor power cables in accordance with UL, Inc. Standard 1277, (UL) Listed as Type TC-ER. (Exposed Run)
The construction consists of stranded, bare copper conductors with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) insulation and nylon jacket. The conductors are cabled together and have a sunlight resistant, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) jacket. - Sequential Marking
Use
These cables are suitable for use installed in cable trays and raceways or when supported by a messenger wire. Voltage ratings not to exceeding 600 volts and conductor temperatures not to exceed 90°C dry or 75°C wet.
Cables pass the UL 1277 Vertical Tray Flame Test and the IEEE 1202/FT4 flame test.
Size: 10 Conductors
Diameter: 1.024"
Area: .823 in2

- Conductor: Stranded Bare Annealed Copper made in Accordance with ASTM B-3, B-8, and B-174
- Primary Insulation: The conductors are UL Type TFFN (18 AWG) Type THHN/THWN (3 AWG, 6 AWG) per UL 66 with a PVC insulation and Nylon jacket
- Control Wire: The insulation shall be colored as follows: 1 Black, 1 Red, 1 Yellow, 1 Yellow/Black, 1 Blue, 1 Red, 1 White
- Generator Wires: 1 Black, 1 Red, 1 White, 1 Green
- Cable Assembly: The insulated conductors are cabled together with fillers as necessary
- Overall Jacket: A flame resistant and sunlight resistant PVC jacket is applied to the overall construction
- Cable Identification: Type: Surface print on jacket
Ink
Color: White
Legend: POWER & CONTROL TRAY CABLE 3 AWG (26.67mm2) 3/C & 6 AWG (13.3mm2) 1/GRND & 18 AWG (.82mm2) 6/C TC-ER E###### (UL) 600V 90C DRY/75C WET OIL RES I SUNLIGHT RESISTANT DIRECT BURIAL

Yes, it mentions a messenger wire, but again, we're only talking three feet.

Also, this is under awning that blocks all direct sunlight, but does not inhibit ventilation.


But none of that would affect the operation of the engine.

 

[grsthegreat]

cool, did not know about sunlight resistance. back in 2014 when i started using the stuff, it was not rated for sunlight....but back then it wasnt rated for use in framing either. things change. 3 foot doesnt seem like any issue anyways. that stuff is sold by the foot, but only in wholesale houses, and they generally wont sell to the public.

 

[Diggin It]

Second dealer never called back at all.

Guess it's on me. Just gotta figure out which day now.


Thinking I picked the wrong brand, but I'm not sure griping to Wisconsin would accomplish anything. Seems like the tractor dealer threads where they won't bother with people that didn't buy from them.

If it's just the cable run, I have 1- 1/2 PVC I could run it in, but they won't even bother to talk to me. 1 -1/2 EMT isn't that expensive either and I could have picked up a stick of that at any time since I've been messing around with these guys.

 

[Toyboy]

I've been unable to get a Generac service tech out to go through my 20kw unit. It was installed November 2011
Generac has to have the absolute worst service of anyone. It's all about the installation. Once thats finished good luck getting any support. I would never buy another and would search out a different brand and make sure they were a full service provider.